Aston Villa winless in five: Time to worry for Unai Emery?

‘Not the Team They Were’ – Aston Villa’s Winless Start Sparks Concern

After back-to-back top-six finishes and European highs, Aston Villa’s 2025/26 Premier League campaign is off to a troubling start. Five games, zero wins, and just one goal scored — far from the flowing, high-intensity football Unai Emery instilled last season.

The latest disappointment? A 1-1 draw at Sunderland, where Villa failed to capitalize on a numerical advantage after the home side went down to 10 men in the 27th minute.

“They look clunky, not fluid… not the same team,” said former England keeper Paul Robinson.

Offensive Breakdown: What Happened to Villa’s Firepower?

A team that scored 134 goals over the last two seasons suddenly looks toothless.

• Villa’s 427-minute goalless drought ended with a Matty Cash thunderbolt.

• They managed only two shots on target — against 10-man Sunderland.

• Ollie Watkins now has one goal in 10 league games.

Unai Emery admitted his side lacked control and identity, calling the defending on Sunderland’s equalizer “lazy.”

“We need to play better. Dominate better. Get our style back,” he told reporters.

Tactical Issues: Predictable, Narrow, and Easy to Contain

Emery’s side appears stale, unable to adapt to more compact opposition setups:

• Central overloads with players like Buendia, McGinn, and Morgan Rodgers playing out wide are easily neutralized.

• Wingers like Rashford and Asensio, who added width and pace, are gone.

• Villa’s current system suffocates creativity, especially against low blocks.

In both the Newcastle and Sunderland games, opponents deployed narrow formations, forcing Villa wide — but the lack of natural width in attack left them ineffective.

“Only the full-backs, Cash and Digne, had time and space — but they’re not creative enough to unlock defences alone,” noted BBC analysts.

Depth & Recruitment Concerns: PSR Restrictions Taking a Toll

Despite summer ambitions, Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) limited Villa’s transfer power.

• Evann Guessand, brought in for £26M, has yet to impress.

• Loss of key loanees like Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio hurt squad depth.

• Fringe wingers like Harvey Elliott and Ian Maatsen remain underused.

Villa look stretched already, especially with Europa League fixtures now on the calendar.

Mounting Pressure: Players and Staff Acknowledge Concerns

“We’re not happy,” said goalscorer Matty Cash. “With our quality, we should be higher up the league.”

Even Emery, usually composed, showed frustration post-match.

“I’m disappointed and frustrated. We’re not playing with the identity that made us successful.”

There are even signs of tension between coaching methods and player responsiveness, with whispers of declining morale.

Reasons for Cautious Optimism?

Villa’s next two matches offer a glimmer of hope:

• Home vs Fulham (28 Sept)

• Home vs Burnley (5 Oct)

These games could reignite their campaign, but failure to win either will only deepen the crisis.

“Time and patience are rare in the Premier League,” said Robinson. “Emery needs a result. Fast.”

Conclusion

Aston Villa’s slow start to the season has exposed tactical rigidity, weakened squad depth, and a loss of identity under Unai Emery. While the manager’s long-term impact is undeniable, short-term form matters, and Europa League distractions could complicate things further.

Unless Villa rediscover their attacking spark soon, Emery’s impressive tenure could quickly turn into a pressure-cooker scenario.